CVE-2017-5991 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
Discover the vulnerability in Artifex MuPDF prior to version 1912de5f08e90af1d9d0a9791f58ba3afdb9d465. Learn about the impact, affected systems, exploitation mechanism, and mitigation steps for CVE-2017-5991.
A vulnerability has been found in Artifex MuPDF prior to version 1912de5f08e90af1d9d0a9791f58ba3afdb9d465. The pdf_run_xobject function in pdf-op-run.c experiences a NULL pointer dereference when executing a Fitz fz_paint_pixmap_with_mask painting procedure. This issue does not affect versions 1.11 and higher.
Understanding CVE-2017-5991
This CVE entry describes a vulnerability in Artifex MuPDF that could lead to a NULL pointer dereference in specific versions.
What is CVE-2017-5991?
CVE-2017-5991 is a vulnerability in Artifex MuPDF that affects versions prior to 1912de5f08e90af1d9d0a9791f58ba3afdb9d465. The issue arises in the pdf_run_xobject function during a painting procedure.
The Impact of CVE-2017-5991
The vulnerability could potentially lead to a NULL pointer dereference, which may result in a denial of service or other security implications for systems using affected versions of Artifex MuPDF.
Technical Details of CVE-2017-5991
This section provides more technical insights into the vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
The pdf_run_xobject function in pdf-op-run.c encounters a NULL pointer dereference during a Fitz fz_paint_pixmap_with_mask painting operation.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Affected: Artifex MuPDF versions prior to 1912de5f08e90af1d9d0a9791f58ba3afdb9d465
- Unaffected: Versions 1.11 and higher
Exploitation Mechanism
The vulnerability can be exploited by executing a specific painting procedure that triggers the NULL pointer dereference.
Mitigation and Prevention
Protect your systems from CVE-2017-5991 by following these mitigation strategies.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Update to a version of Artifex MuPDF that is 1.11 or higher to avoid the vulnerability.
- Monitor vendor advisories and security sources for patches or workarounds.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update software and libraries to the latest versions to mitigate known vulnerabilities.
- Implement secure coding practices to reduce the likelihood of similar issues in the future.
Patching and Updates
- Apply patches provided by the vendor promptly to address the vulnerability and enhance system security.